Word Origin & History

"simple, uninflected form of a verb," 1510s (mid-15c. as an adjective), from Late Latin infinitivus "unlimited, indefinite," from Latin infinitus (see infinite). "Indefinite" because not having definite person or number.

Example Sentences for infinitive

The infinitive is often used in poetry after a verb of motion where we should use the present participle.

The infinitive mood is like a gentlemans cab, because it has no number.

The past tense, third person plural, of the infinitive Fitnah.

From jamar, the infinitive of "to eat," the regular conjugation should be jame, "I have eaten."

The Infinitive Mood has the Signs to, about; as to love, about to love.

And the rest as the subjunctive or imperfect of gwîl with the infinitive.

The rest as the pluperfect of gwîl, or of menny, to will, with the infinitive.

The infinitive of a verb is treated almost exactly like a noun.

There are also verbal nouns which have the form of the infinitive of verbs.

(in, not) An infinitive is that verb which is not limited by person and number.